Best In South Carolina Real Estate™: Grand Strand

The Grand Strand’s income gap between arrivals and leavers is widening faster than any other market in South Carolina—7.5% more than last year, according to the latest IRS migration data. This isn’t just about more people moving in; it’s about who’s moving in. High-earning households are reshaping the region’s economic fabric, raising the bar for infrastructure, services, and community planning. Yet with Horry County’s Administrator retiring at year-end, the region faces a critical test: can its institutions scale with its new demographic? For context, this data comes directly from ALEX Intelligence’s proprietary analysis of 2023 IRS migration flows: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-26-grand-strand-mig-trend-agi. The Grand Strand is no longer just a destination—it’s becoming a new economic tier. How will local governance keep pace? Change in the Income Gap Between Arriving and Departing Households, top 10 (ALEX Intelligence — U.S. Internal Revenue Service 2023) #1 Cumberland County, NC — $374,948 #2 Cook County, IL — $143,460 #3 Anne Arundel County, MD — $116,756 #4 Wake County, NC — $111,912 #5 Union County, NC — $104,450 #6 Worcester County, MA — $102,671 #7 Los Angeles County, CA — $99,653 #8 Mecklenburg County, NC — $98,185 #9 Maricopa County, AZ — $91,284 #10 Allegheny County, PA — $90,527 Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Slide 1: Steve Walker from Columbia, South Carolina, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=92291004; Slide 2: Farragutful (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=44426211; Slide 3: Darrin (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=58450514; Slide 4: Josh Byington (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=56931951 Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-26-grand-strand-mig-trend-agi View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Chair & CEO, ALEX Companies Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574877-B · Broker License #565194-BB [email protected] · +1 713.591.9902